[quote=BecomeLowly]A confession would be invalid if there were no words of absolution or if the penitent knowingly omitted a mortal sin. That is all I can think of… :hmmm: I could have left something out, though.

You only need to state details that change the specific kind of sin. For example, stealing a dollar from Bill Gates is different than stealing a window’s entire fortune. Looking at homosexual porn is different than looking at the opposite sex, etc.

[quote=Benedictus]You only need to state details that change the specific kind of sin. For example, stealing a dollar from Bill Gates is different than stealing a window’s entire fortune. Looking at homosexual porn is different than looking at the opposite sex, etc.
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Don’t worry, if you feel the need to ask this question bring it up in the next confession. Tell the priest the sitiuation, you don’t know if you said enough, add the details. Maybe you should have said them, maybe you didn’t need to, but next time you’ll have a better idea of what is needed, and most importantly what you need. The important thing is not the the priest knows what you did, the important thing is that you tell another what you have done. (Not to forget being given absolution.) If I was you, I’d just try to regularly go every month is good, every two weeks even better. It’ll help you grow a lot more. Plus going to the same confessor, will help, cause he should have a better idea of guidance you need.

If you intentionally left out a detail that would change the nature of the sin, then the confession would be invalid and sacreligious. If it were a mistake (e.g., one simply forgot to add a certain detail), then the confession would be valid and your sins would be forgiven; however, one would probably be obligated to mention it in the next confession.

Q. 789. When is our Confession entire?
A. Our Confession is entire when we tell the number and kids of our sins and the circumstances which change their nature.

Q. 790 What do you mean by the "kinds of sin?"
A. By the “kinds of sin,” we mean the particular division or class to which the sins belong; that is, whether they be sins of blasphemy, disobedience, anger, impurity, dishonesty, etc. We can determine the kind of sin by discovering the commandment or precept of the Church we have broken or the virtue against which we have acted.

Q. 791. What do we mean by “circumstances which change the nature of sins?”

A. By “circumstances which change the nature of sins” we mean anything that makes it another kind of sin. Thus to steal is a sin, but to steal from the Church makes our theft sacrilegious. Again, impure actions are sins, but a person must say whether they were committed alone or with others, with relatives or strangers, with persons married or single, etc., because these circumstances change them from one kind of impurity to another.

[quote=Benedictus]If you intentionally left out a detail that would change the nature of the sin, then the confession would be invalid and sacreligious. If it were a mistake (e.g., one simply forgot to add a certain detail), then the confession would be valid and your sins would be forgiven; however, one would probably be obligated to mention it in the next confession.

[quote=RomanRyan1088]What if you honestly didn’t know that? Is it still invalid?
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If you didn’t know, it is still valid. For example: you commit a mortal sin, but don’t know it. Thus, it isn’t a mortal sin, and you are absolved if you go to confession. But you should really hit the books if you aren’t sure about the severity of various sins. Ignorance can’t be the excuse for your whole life. Some of the things you find will surprise you (and allow you to improve your life as a Catholic ).

You only need to state details that change the specific kind of sin. For example, stealing a dollar from Bill Gates is different than stealing a window’s entire fortune. Looking at homosexual porn is different than looking at the opposite sex, etc.